NBA Suspends Howard For Game 6

Shortly after getting the press release from the Orlando Magic, I took a couple minutes to read the commentary about Dwight’s ‘bow to Samuel Dalembert’s dome. It quickly became clear that the vast majority of readers agreed a suspension was in order. It wasn’t even a debate, to be quite honest.

The NBA reviewed the play, and it didn’t take long to agree. Howard will be bringing a suit to Philly for Game 6. As the Orlando Sentinel reports:

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard has been suspended for Thursday’s Game 6 against Philadelphia.

Howard received a technical foul in the first quarter of the Magic’s 91-78 win Game 5 over the Sixers Tuesday night for throwing an elbow at Samuel Dalembert as the pair fought for position underneath the basket.

Curiously, Howard wasn’t even hit with a flagrant foul. He was allowed to finish the game with a beast of a performance and, more critically, a win for the Magic. In Game 6, it’s fair to say Orlando will rely almost entirely on outside shooting, as both Courtney Lee and Howard will be absent.

Once leading the series 2-1, the Sixers better hope they can capitalize on this “gimme” of a game and force this matchup to seven games.